Book Eater

Chapter 86: The Empire’s Delegation (3)

“Your Majesty, the Andras delegation has crossed the threshold of the palace!” A royal knight reported.

Royal knights always reported a delegation’s arrival at three points: the gate, the threshold of the palace and when they entered the hall. The royal family would have ample warning of their entrance. This was only the second report, so there was still some time before the Andras delegation would arrive.

Kurt III nodded from where he sat on his throne. As soon as the royal knight stepped back, the atmosphere in the room became heated.

“The barbarians from Andras are finally here!”

“I’m curious about what they are going to say.”

“Sending two sword masters, did they not have the guts to come alone?”

There was a sense of solidarity in the hall, especially since this was an enemy they had spent centuries fighting. The one hundred and thirty-two Superior magicians were dressed in full court regalia, resplendent in hues of red, blue, yellow, and white as they represented their Tower. The current generation’s youngest Superior, Theodore Miller, was also waiting for the delegation’s arrival with the rest of the Red Tower magicians.

The atmosphere’s a little more tense than I expected.

Theo glanced around the room. The hall was more confined than the auditorium, so the mana was seething even roughly. It was obvious that the enormous pressure would overwhelm the delegation once they entered the hall. That may have been the intention.

Theo whispered to Vince, “... Is this a war of nerves?”

“Correct.” Vince replied, “It’s childish, but effective. We can exert enormous pressure once we gather in sufficient numbers.”

“Won’t the Andras delegation see it as weakness?”

Vince shrugged, “It’s common. They also do something similar with a selection of elite knights. Furthermore, it is rare for the Meltor Kingdom to do this with anyone besides the Andras Empire.”

It seemed this was an exceptional case in many ways. It was hard to find a precedent for the presence of a hundred and thirty-two senior magicians as well as dozens of high ranking officials and nobles. Two Tower Masters were even standing by the throne, thoroughly ensuring the king’s safety.

At that moment, the third report rang out from outside the door.

“Your Majesty, the Andras delegation is seeking an audience with you!”

“I’ll allow it.” A cold and intimidating silence followed Kurt III’s words.

Two hundred people watched the hall’s doors open. However, Theo was the most surprised by the sight of the delegation.

Rattle, rattle, rattle.

They were covered head to toe in shining steel armor that reflected the bright light of the chandelier. The Andras delegation didn’t expose any skin at all, as they walked through the door like a steel corps.

Then, as expected, they were struck by a shockwave of mana.

Kuuuuong!

“... Kuk!”

“Guh!”

The Andras delegation endured the unusual pressure with their heavy armor. Ironically, the weight of their armor worked against them, as the mounting pressure only grew stronger with every step. Some of the knights unwittingly let out helpless groans as they were forced to come to a halt.

The delegation came within five steps of the center of the hall when they were forced to halt. Even the elite knights couldn’t take another step forward.

At that moment, two men walked out of the Andras delegation.

.

Huuk!

Their armor was even more stylized, but it didn’t seem to matter as they walked through the mana storm. The first knight was a few heads taller than the others, while the other had long black hair flowing from under his helmet. As they walked forward, the fierce mana pressure dissipated.

The two knights slowed and stopped once they saw the king. In unison, they took their helmets off and went down on one knee.

“The great Andras’ 7th Sword, Lloyd Pollan, greets the sun of Meltor.”

“The great Andras’ 4th Sword, Pan Helliones, greets the sun of Meltor.”

The empire’s 7th Sword, Lloyd Pollan, and the empire’s 4th Sword, Pan Helliones equalized the pressure leveled against them with just their introduction. Just like the Tower Masters were revered in Meltor, the Seven Swords of Andras were equally revered in Andras.

Kurt III eyed the sword masters before speaking, “It has been a long time, Sir Helliones.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. This is the first time since the last agreement.”

“We have known each other for a long time. What do you think about getting rid of the futile formalities?”

The knight with yellowish skin and black hair smiled like he was pleased. “Pan Helliones will follow Your Majesty’s will.”

“Then I will be blunt.” On the other hand, there was no hint of laughter on Kurt III’s face.

Despite his lack of aura and magic, the king’s dignity was unquestionable. As the ambassadors gulped involuntarily, the king of Meltor boomed, “Are you hoping for an extension of the truce? Or do you once again wish for war?”

It was an extremely straightforward question. The steel-clad ambassadors and the silent Superior magicians both masked their confusion at this sudden question. Usually, there would be a delicate dance of procedure and protocol before they even broached the subject, but Kurt III had boldly dispensed with tradition.

The two sword masters were clearly surprised, but they quickly regained their composure.

“You are as bold as ever, Your Majesty. Since you asked, I will speak bluntly,” Pan Helliones’ eyes were gleaming. “I'll ask first. Is the story of the hero who saved the high elf that emerged from Meltor half a year ago true?”

Kurt III countered, “Why do you care about that?”

“We were told by His Majesty to confirm the authenticity of the story. This Pan Helliones is one of the Seven Swords, so I have to do as the Emperor wills.”

“Don't make me laugh. It seems you’ve worked on your eloquence since I last saw you,” Kurt III retorted in a cynical tone. “You want to discuss the truce after confirming the relationship between Meltor and Elvenheim. Am I wrong?”

“......” The two sword masters remained silent. However, only an idiot wouldn’t realize that silence meant affirmation.

Kurt III displayed a scornful expression at their silence before opening his mouth to speak again. Since they said that it was their mission as the Emperor’s knights, then he wouldn’t sidestep the challenge.

“Well, good. Let’s not quibble over your intentions. How do you plan to check the authenticity of the story? Will you send an envoy to Elvenheim to ask?” Kurt III prompted.

Pan Helliones spoke slowly, “... A knight of Andras does not trust words. The same would go for any testimony by the elves.”

“Then?”

The big sword master rapped his sword sheath with his gauntleted fist.

Kang!

“There is only one law in the empire we follow, and that is to prove one’s strength. If we see the hero fight, we will know the truth. Your Majesty, please let this Pan Helliones see the young man!”

“Ridiculous!” Kurt III rejected the request immediately. “What if you use the pretext of the duel to kill him?! He is a hero, but he is only twenty years old. Isn’t that shameful as a sword master?”

Kurt III’s rejection was like the roar of a beast.

Lloyd Pollon couldn’t disguise the admiration in his eyes. As expected of Andras’ enemy, the King’s dignity was not a whit inferior to that of the Emperor. He wasn’t an enemy who could be threatened or manipulated. However, Pan Helliones had been aware of this for decades as he fought on the front lines.

Therefore, he prepared his own compromise. “Your Majesty, I have no intention of doing such a thing. The Andras Empire has no intention of incurring Elvenheim’s hostility. I am just trying to make a useful suggestion.”

Kurt III snapped, “... Don’t just end your talk with empty words.”

“Of course. Rebecca!”

A knight walked out of the delegation. They seemed smaller next to the other members of the delegation, but the reason was evident once the knight took off their helmet.

Kurt III’s eyebrows rose as golden hair cascaded down her shoulders.

“4th Sword Pan Helliones’s disciple, Rebecca, greets Meltor’s sun.”

She was beautiful, but in a different way from the daughters of nobility. Slim white lines of old scars marked her skin, and she had very little in the way of makeup. It was obvious that she was extremely indifferent to her own appearance. Perhaps that was why she gave off a rather manly look.

It was obvious she was no ornament either, as she seemed extremely comfortable with the weight of the two swords hanging from her waist. Indeed, she seemed like the embodiment of a steel knight.

“... This would be my suggestion, Your Majesty.”

Aura didn’t discriminate between gender when it came to bestowing strength, but it was hard to completely eliminate the stereotypes about the difference between men and women. However, the sharp air around her was enough to strip away those stereotypes.

Theodore used the eyes of a warrior to see through to her essence.

She’s a senior aura user… around my age.

An eerie chill went down his spine at the thought of encountering her as an enemy. He didn’t feel like he had no chance of winning, but he could feel how dangerous she was. She seemed to walk a similar path to Sylvia, as a genius aura user who had become a master’s disciple at a young age. However, unlike Sylvia, whose emotions were immature, Rebecca’s eyes showed that she already knew the realities of a knight.

Yet, a strange sense of discomfort irritated him.

Where have I seen that face?

Theodore Miller was certain; he had never seen this woman before. Nevertheless, she seemed familiar. Maybe he had met her relative before. However, he didn’t have any more time to ponder it as Pan Helliones spoke.

“Let me ask you again, Your Majesty.” Pan Helliones, the 4th Sword of the Andras Empire, suddenly turned to look at Theo. “Sword and magic... Why don’t we let the youngsters of the two countries dance together?”